And yes, former Elkland anchor Jonathan Pierce is back with a brand new Drums album — “Portamento,” out Sept. 13 on Frenchkiss, with an initial single/video called “Money” already making the YouTube rounds (go to www.thedrums.com for more). And he’s back with a brand-new Drums, as well.

The Shangri-Las-inspired outfit had a rise to rival the flight of wax-winged Icarus. And naturally, a descent just as meteoric. When guitarist Adam Kessler suddenly quit The Drums last year to reportedly pursue a career in carpentry, his bandmates were shocked, devastated and even toyed with calling it quits, as recently as a month ago.

But the day after their axeman’s departure, they penned their first new song, “What You Were,” and have now come up with 12 self-produced, re-energized — and decidedly dark and autobiographical — tracks that should shoot them back up into the stratosphere.

Helping out on tour will be Violens' guitarist Myles Matheny and Chris Stein on drums.